Lawrence Finance Panel Accepts Clean FY25 Audit
Lawrence Finance Committee accepts a clean FY25 audit while scrambling to cover a $720,000 school lease gone wrong.
Finance Committee · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Lawrence Finance Committee accepts a clean FY25 audit while scrambling to cover a $720,000 school lease gone wrong. Auditors from the firm identified in the meeting as CBIS CPAs told councilors Giovanni Rodriguez and Mark LaPlante the city earned an unmodified opinion despite a $134 million correction tied to OPEB accounting. "What can we say that our books have been examined and we are in a good spot and there's no malfeasance?" LaPlante asked; auditors said their opinion offers "reasonable," not absolute, assurance.
The committee also advanced $60,000 for portable speed-limit signs, $378,549 of a $3.1 million Columbia Gas settlement fund for energy upgrades, and $720,000 from the stabilization fund to cover a school lease the school department signed without city attorney review. City Attorney Tim Hooten said his sign-off only certifies a contract is enforceable, not advisable. A 30-year airport land lease with Dynamic Waste Systems Inc. stalled when LaPlante recused himself over a state-agency conflict, leaving the committee without quorum.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,816 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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